Chef's Challenge puts culinary experts, students together in tasty competition

BOYNE FALLS -- It's a chance to try some of Michigan's greatest food creations while also helping to support a local charity.

The fifth annual Chefs Challenge will take place Friday and Saturday, April 20-21, at Boyne Mountain Resort in Boyne Falls. The event is a celebration of the state's top chefs and culinary students, who create unique recipes for food lovers to sample. Participants then vote for their favorite dish and culinary team.

"We've really grown in attendance and participation," said event organizer Rebecca Harris. "I think people are really catching on all over the state, and with more chef teams, the word is getting out even more."

The event is the largest fundraiser of the year for Challenge Mountain. The organization offers adaptive recreation for people with special needs and their families. Money raised from the event will go to programs such as skiing and snowboarding in the winter and day camps in the summer.

The event will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday night at the Vienna Room at the Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa with high school teams preparing chicken, beef tenderloin and Italian sausage dishes, as well as a dessert. There is a $10 general admission, which includes unlimited tasting. Entertainment and a cash bar will also be available.

The event continues at 9 a.m. on Saturday at the Boyne Mountain Civic Center with food seminars and demonstrations. Admission to the seminars and demonstrations is free, with topics ranging from cake decorating, a history lesson in whiskey and a look at some tips for cooking with spring produce.

"I really wish I could take part in all the seminars this year," Harris said. "We really have a variety of great topics."

The Taste of Michigan competition runs 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Civic Center and features four separate categories: college and universities competition, center-of-plate or professionals competition, Michigan desserts and beverage.

The cost for the tasting event is $25 for eight tickets or four for $15, with additional tickets available at the door. Vendors are judged by a team of judges and the public.

The event winds down with the Chefs Challenge Cook-Off Dinner from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Civic Center. It will be emceed by celebrity chef Michelle Bommarito and includes a four-course dinner by executive chef Jeff Minkwic and executive sous chef Chad King of Boyne Mountain. The dinner is an Iron Chef-style cook-off between the two professional winning teams from the afternoon's event.

Tickets for the cook-off event are $75 and are limited.

"This really has become a big event for Northern Michigan, and all our chefs really embrace the competition, while the real root of the event is raising money for a great charity," Harris said.

For more information on this year's Chefs Challenge and for a complete list of seminars and events, visit www.chefs-challenge.com.